About to buy my 3S-GTE, Have some ???s Options

[Pfloyd09]

WARNING: I am an IT guy, not a mechanic..

So I'm about to put the money down to buy a 3S-GTE, and although I've listened to the podcasts, read more about Celicas than I have anything else in the last year, I am still not 100% sure on this. So many options, conflicting opinions, and ways to do this.

I have tried to find a Gt-4 clip at a reasonable price, but they all seem to run about $2500 and up, plus $600 to $1000 for shipping. It seems pretty easy to find a 3S-GTE engine with the harness, ECU, etc.. for about $1,500.

I know there are serious advantages to the clip, but is it worth the extra $1,500 to $2,000 to get it vs. just the engine with the needed parts? Examples of engine only, below.

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...p;#entry1022776

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-94-98-TOYOTA-C...382&vxp=mtr

So if I buy one of those, or equivalent, what else would I need to acquire, and would it truly be better to buy the clip with the difference in $$ considered? I could see getting a clip at that price if it had a bumper and hood in good condition, but the only one I've found that fits that bill is $4,000, and would have to be shipped from Hong Kong.

Is there a better source for JDM engines/clips than what I see on ebay? I don't have unlimited funds to do this swap right now, but can swing the motor only, and some extra parts if needed. Will have to wait a month or two if the clip is the way to go. If I dip too deep into savings for this, the wife aggro may get a bit hot..

If there is a thread that covers this already, please enlighten me.

[richee3]

There are so many small pieces you need for a 3S-GTE swap that you won't get with just the engine. The clip is hands down the way to go.

[Pfloyd09]

There are so many small pieces you need for a 3S-GTE swap that you won't get with just the engine. The clip is hands down the way to go.

I know it's easier, without a doubt, but is it really $1,500 to $2,000 worth of small parts? Can any of them come from the MR2 or other sources?

Yes, I'm clueless, but trying hard to learn.

Thanks for the input!

[bnr32celica]

Gen4 Caldina clips are CHEAP. Search one of them out.

Www.jdmenginedepot.com

[Pfloyd09]

Gen4 Caldina clips are CHEAP. Search one of them out.

Www.jdmenginedepot.com

Oh, wow. Did not realize that was an option.

I found this on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-Toyota-Celica-...957&vxp=mtr

Would that be complete enough to eschew the buying of a clip?

If there is anyone with experience doing the 3S-GTE swap who would be willing to talk to me on the phone, I would greatly appreciate it. Would be happy to pay a consultation fee even. I have all winter to do this, and want it done right. Making the right choices up front seems pretty important!

[bnr32celica]

Personally, I would rather a clip no matter what. There's always SOMETHING you end up needing, and the Caldina clip is only $1500 before shipping.
That's worth it alone in knowing the harness is uncut and undamaged. Why take a chance? My "complete" engine still needed $100+ in miscellaneous sensors that should have come with it, plus the ECU, igniter, MAF, etc...all of which would have been on a clip.

The Gen4 with a Gen3 turbo makes BIG power at 12psi. Talk to the guys at www.primemr2.com and peruse their site. They have tons of good info on the benefits of Gen4. My harness builder can mate the two harnesses for you when you're ready for a good price. I considered Gen4, but I have OBD2 eCheck, so I ended up going 1MZ. You have a 94, so it doesn't matter. Besides, the Caldina is FWD, meaning no tomfoolery with converting an MR2 trans or GT4 trans.

Knowledge is power my friend, and you can't have too much.

[Pfloyd09]

Thanks a ton for the info! I'm going to call them and will likely have them ship it out post-haste!

I was hoping to spend under $3,000 for the engine (shipped), and about that on the cosmetics. Will be nice to have ~$1,500 to play with now!!

This post has been edited by Pfloyd09: Aug 23, 2013 - 6:03 PM

[bnr32celica]

Yeah, I've bought from jdmenginedepot.com twice. However, I'm fairly local to them, so I got to choose my engines.

I have no idea where you live, but it's worth the day trip to inspect your clip if you can before shipping or pickup.

I have a buddy with a Gen4 MR2, and it is absolutely unruly at 18psi. I got sideways at 100! You'll want a Gen3 turbo as the Gen4 turbo is smaller, and integrated into the manifold.

Best of luck in your endeavor.

[njccmd2002]

its not the cost of the item you get, is the level of difficulty to find it sometimes. so figure out the time you cant use your car, because your waiting from something to arrive from japan for 6 weeks.

[bnr32celica]

its not the cost of the item you get, is the level of difficulty to find it sometimes. so figure out the time you cant use your car, because your waiting from something to arrive from japan for 6 weeks.

That's why I went 1MZ.

[Pfloyd09]

its not the cost of the item you get, is the level of difficulty to find it sometimes. so figure out the time you cant use your car, because your waiting from something to arrive from japan for 6 weeks.

That's why I went 1MZ.

I hear ya there, good point I had not considered.

Fortunately, that's a non-issue for me. I have a 95 GT Coupe Automatic as my daily driver, and the car I'm doing this to is a 94 GT Hatchback 5-speed with a blown motor. Got it for a song ($350), and aside from a few easily fixable body blemishes and needing some glass replaced, it's in VERY good condition. No rust underneath, interior rocks, and it has the 10-speaker system in it. SO happy.

I intend to take my time, and make this an awesome ride, without worrying about whether or not it will be usable for work on Monday.

[bnr32celica]

its not the cost of the item you get, is the level of difficulty to find it sometimes. so figure out the time you cant use your car, because your waiting from something to arrive from japan for 6 weeks.

That's why I went 1MZ.

I hear ya there, good point I had not considered.

Fortunately, that's a non-issue for me. I have a 95 GT Coupe Automatic as my daily driver, and the car I'm doing this to is a 94 GT Hatchback 5-speed with a blown motor. Got it for a song ($350), and aside from a few easily fixable body blemishes and needing some glass replaced, it's in VERY good condition. No rust underneath, interior rocks, and it has the 10-speaker system in it. SO happy.

I intend to take my time, and make this an awesome ride, without worrying about whether or not it will be usable for work on Monday.

Right attitude.

[lagos]

There are so many small pieces you need for a 3S-GTE swap that you won't get with just the engine. The clip is hands down the way to go.

I know it's easier, without a doubt, but is it really $1,500 to $2,000 worth of small parts? Can any of them come from the MR2 or other sources?

Yes, I'm clueless, but trying hard to learn.

Thanks for the input!

Missing parts are not the only problem. One thing that people forget is that when you get a clip, you get to label every hose and connector that you remove, take lots of pictures, etc... so that you know exactly where everything should go in your car. This is not an issue for everyone, but if you're new to working on cars (like most of us were at some point) then having a clip is actually a very valuable thing to have. Imagine just getting an engine and not knowing what goes where and why...

So for a first time swapper, its a good idea. But is the price worth it? Id say yes as long as you are getting a good condition gt4 hood and bumper out of the deal. Those two alone are worth the extra price.